Any of you guys ever dabble in the micro RC game? I've always enjoyed building stick and tissue since I was a kid, and always dreamed of having them as RC when they were done. Now that the technology is there I'd like to give it whirl.
I've seen a lot of people take the small stick & tissue planes designed for free flight and convert them to RC. The biggest issue is keeping them LIGHT, which can take some skill and patience.
I found this really nice thread a long time ago on another site. It has great tips and information for specific models which would translate well to almost any kit.
I've been reading a lot about the structure modification required to do a conversion and it seems like guys are going a little overkill. I think I'm going to find a nice kit or plan for an Aeronca Champ in the 30" wingspan range and start there. It may be doomed from the start but I'm going to go with a lot less reinforcement. Weight seems to be the biggest obstacle and I don't plan on crashing it.
Here are 3 gliders I did the blue/ purple one is a kit I got finished weigth is 39 grams with a 30in span the blue/ clear one I designed and came in around 50 grams with a 47in span and the yellow/red one is mine and came out to 50 grams with a 38in span. These all use 3.6 and smaller servos, single cell lipo, and a lemon rx. The two I designed use a cracked rib style of build and with careful wood selection you can build light planes. If you can find a wrecked umx plane and get your guts it can help with keeping weight down.
I'm slowly working on a Guillow's Cloud Buster, I plan to add some electronics if I can. I still need to find a gearbox / prop, but at the rate it's getting built, finding a spare one shouldn't be a problem. :black_eyed:
That appears to be a "Micro-Wanderer" -- a scaled down version of an old 72" span glider dating from back in the 70's. There's a gent who posts out on the RCG classifieds who laser cuts this kit for $45+shipping, but you'll have to add your own RC brick for electronics.